We Need To Be Ready To Change
Dear friends,
A friend of mine said something quite interesting recently, that I thought was worth exploring. Talking about our Guides helping us make spiritual progress, she said, "If they take it from you, you still want it."
We all know that desires can lead us astray. We are sure each desire, finally fulfilled, will finally do it and bring us lasting happiness and inner peace and joy. But of course, there's always one more thing. Not quite enough money; not quite enough good health; not quite the perfect relationship or job. So we come back again and again and try one more tweak in each area, sure that we will get it just right this time! Oh, and then freeze that perfect state so that nothing will change. Good luck with all of that!
So if something is taken from us too early, the desire remains, even if the situation or item no longer does. It is only after we have thoroughly explored a certain life condition and found it wanting, that we are ready to let it go.
There is a Zen phrase that has been repeated in many traditions over the years: Burn every log completely. In other words, experience everything to the fullest. When we are truly ready to let it go, we have finished with it with no residual attachment or attraction to it.
People say, “Money is the root of all evil” but that is not the correct phrase. It is, “love of money is the root of all evil.” It is attachment and desire that is the problem. The things of this world are for the most part just fine, and not inherently a problem. But they will never give us what we truly want. Coming to see that more and more deeply is the heart of the spiritual path.
May we work to know this more and more fully, so that when things are taken from us we are truly and finally free of them. Ultimately all that remains important to us is Spirit.
Blessings,
David G., manager
For the staff at East West